When is it better to plant crocuses in the open ground, maintenance rules and features of cultivation

People often wonder when to plant crocuses outdoors. Today there are many varieties of these crops. Depending on this, gardeners choose the time of planting work. In order for crocuses to grow and develop normally, they need quality care. It should be comprehensive and include timely watering, fertilizing, protection against diseases and pests.

Description and characteristics of the plant

Crocuses are considered short plants that can reach 10 centimeters. They are characterized by rounded or flattened bulbs, which can reach 3 centimeters in diameter and are covered with scales. During the flowering period, linear leaves are formed, which are collected in a bouquet. The flowers reach 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter. They have a blue, lilac, yellow tint. There are also cream, purple, orange crocuses. There are spotted and bicolor cultures. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks.

How to plant correctly

To successfully grow a crop, it is worth planting correctly.

Time recommendations

It is worth choosing the time of planting a crop based on its variety and variety.

fall bloom

Crocuses that bloom in the fall are recommended for planting in the summer.

Spring flowering

These varieties of crocuses are planted in the fall.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Quality bulbs must meet the following characteristics:

• show no symptoms of disease in the form of rotting or mechanical damage;
• be tight and well dressed;
• do not have regrown roots and stems;
• to be tall.

It is recommended to treat the bulbs before planting. The easiest way is to use a pink solution of potassium permanganate. It is also allowed to use fungicides - for example, Fundazol. In addition, it is allowed to use growth stimulants - Kornevin or Epin.

Site and Soil Requirements

A sunny spot is good for crocuses. However, the flowers normally develop in the shade. Light, dry soil is suitable for the germination of a crop. It should have a loose consistency and contain plenty of nutrients.

When preparing the site, it is worth adding sand or gravel. Manure is used from organic matter. It is also allowed to use peat or compost. Crocuses do not tolerate acidic soils well, so it is recommended to add lime to them.

Landing scheme

The plants are small. Therefore, the bulbs are placed at a depth of 4-12 centimeters. The distance between the plants should be 5 centimeters. The bulbs can be used for individual or group plantings. It is also allowed to make a ring of it in the form of a crown.

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General rules of care and cultivation

In order for the plant to fully develop and please with abundant flowering, it must be properly cared for.

watering mode

Crocuses need quality watering. It is recommended to moisten the soil as soon as sprouts appear and throughout development.

Loosening and weeding

The soil should be loosened systematically. This helps saturate it with oxygen and nutrients.

The rapid elimination of weeds is not insignificant.

top dresser

When fertilizing the soil when planting in the first year, you can do without fertilizing. Thereafter, however, the crop needs nutrition. In this case, it is worth using products based on potassium and phosphorus. The first feeding is carried out when a sprout appears, the second - during the formation of buds, the third - after the end of flowering. A lot of potassium is used the first time. Then the elements are taken in equal parts.

Flowering period

Crocuses bloom in spring or fall. The duration of flowering is influenced by the weather and the variety.The flowers differ in goblet shape and in different shades. They are blue, white, yellow. There are orange and cream inflorescences. Two-tone and spotted options look interesting. The flowers are 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter.

It is best to plant 7-10 crocuses. They can be used alone or combined with other crops that bloom at the same time.

How to transplant correctly

Crocuses do not need an annual transplant. Florists advise to carry it out every 3-4 years. The procedure is carried out in the middle of summer - at this time a rest period begins. During this period, the mother bulb grows. In this case, 1 to 10 daughter bulbs may form. It's getting cramped for them. Therefore, bulbs should be planted.

To do this, it is recommended to dig them up, dry them and remove dead roots. It is recommended to sprinkle the damaged areas with charcoal or ashes. The bulbs can then be stored in a cool, dry place.

Breeding methods

There are several breeding methods for these plants. This allows each producer to choose the appropriate option.

Children

If the bulbs are grown for more than 4 years, they must be transplanted. During this period, the bulbs grow, forming special families with children. It is with these fragments that crocuses can propagate.

girls bulbs

This vegetative method preserves the varietal characteristics of the crop. During the season, each bulb forms up to 10 babies, the flowering of which begins in 2-3 years. It is recommended to dig up the plant in the summer. This is done after the leaves have withered.

Seeds

To breed crocuses from seed, it is enough to sow them on the site before winter. However, it is quite difficult to collect seeds from fall-flowering crocuses.This is possible only in warm autumn. In spring crocuses, seeds are planted more often. However, they must be sown in the same year. It is recommended to carry out a layering beforehand. Flowering of seedlings begins in 4-5 years.

Diseases and pests

Crocuses often face various pathologies and pest attacks. In such a situation, timely action is recommended.

field mice

To avoid damage to the flower bed, it is worth getting rid of all dry grass 3 meters before the flower garden. Rodents do not run more than 3 meters from the nest.

Click beetle larva

These pests make holes in the bulbs. If there is a large accumulation of pests in April or May, it is worth picking up the grass and placing it in the grooves of the beds. Then moisten a little and cover with boards. After some time, the larvae will settle in the bait. The grass must be collected and burned.

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slugs

Sometimes the flowers suffer from attacks by slugs, which absorb the sap of the plant. In this case, the pests are picked up by hand or the plants are treated with chemicals.

Aphid

These small insects attack the leaves of the plant and disrupt its development. Insecticides help control aphids.

Thrips

It is recommended to destroy these pests in a timely manner, as they will lead to the death of the culture. Insecticides help control pests.

viral disease

When a plant is infected with viruses, the flowers acquire a flattened shape and become covered with gray spots. In this case, the buds do not bloom completely. Damaged plants should be removed and burned immediately.The land on which they grew should be watered with a warm solution of potassium permanganate.

Fungal diseases

These diseases develop mainly in humid and hot weather. First, the bulbs suffer. They lose their density and shrivel up. Infected bulbs must be destroyed. The rest should be dried in a cool place. Before planting, the material is treated with Fundazole.

Features of care after flowering

After withering, it is recommended to cut the peduncles. In this case, the foliage can be left. It will serve as a decoration for the garden. After some time, the leaves acquire a yellow tint and wither. Then the bulbs should be pulled out of the ground and stored.

How to dig up and store bulbs

It is worth digging up the bulbs of spring-flowering species during the dormant period - from the end of June to the end of summer. Autumn flowering plants are dug up from the beginning of June to the end of August. After that, the bulbs should be folded in a dark place and dried.

They are cleaned of soil, scales and roots and put in a box. It is recommended to store the bulbs at a temperature of at least +22 degrees, otherwise budding will be disturbed. In early August, the temperature regime is reduced to +20 degrees, and a week later to +15.

Varieties

Today, many types of crocuses are known, each of which has certain characteristics.

Spring

This plant grows up to 17 centimeters long and has dark green foliage. The flowers are bell-shaped. They can be white or purple. Flowering begins in spring and lasts 20 days.

with two flowers

The plant is distinguished by bluish-lilac flowers. The outer part of the petals is covered with brown spots. There are also white flowers with brownish-purple stripes and other options.

Golden

Culture is characterized by golden-yellow inflorescences with recurved perianths. There are brown stripes on the outside of the petals. Flowering begins in April and lasts 20 days.

Thomasini

This variety of crocus is characterized by lilac-pink perianths bordered with white. The open flowers are distinguished by a white throat. They look like a star in shape. Culture begins to bloom in April. This process takes 20 days.

Beautiful

The plant has leaves measuring 30 centimeters and purple-lilac flowers reaching 7 centimeters. Purple veins are present on the petals. There are also garden varieties which are blue, blue, white and other shades.

Attractive

These crocuses are distinguished by their attractive appearance. They are characterized by a lavender hue and dark stripes. The flowers reach 6-8 centimeters.

Banatsky

This culture is characterized by silver-gray leaves measuring 15 centimeters. Crocuses are decorated with light lilac inflorescences with yellow anthers.

Chrysanthus

It is a variety of hybrid crocuses that blooms in the spring. The plant has light blue and yellow inflorescences.

Popular varieties

Today, many varieties of crocuses are known, each of which has certain characteristics.

gypsy girl

This culture is characterized by open cup-shaped flowers. They reach 35 millimeters. They have a yellow tint. Small brown spots are present on the inner lobes.

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Marietta

The plant has wide-open flowers that are flat in shape and reach 35 millimeters. The narrow lobes are creamy and oval in shape.

Lady Keeler

This variety is characterized by flat flowers that have a cupped shape. They measure 3 centimeters in diameter. The elongated oval lobes are white. The buds are purple in color.

Saturn

The plant is characterized by flat flowers that reach 35 millimeters in diameter. The tops of the outer circle are elongated and creamy yellow in color. There is a brownish-green spot at the base.

Kathleen Parlow

This culture is characterized by white cup-shaped inflorescences that reach 4 centimeters and are decorated with lilac stripes.

Marksman Banner

The flowers are goblet-shaped and reach 4 centimeters. The plant is lilac in color.

Jubilee

This culture is characterized by blue goblet flowers. A pronounced light purple spot can be seen at the base.

Avant-garde

The plant is distinguished by open cup-shaped flowers. They have a lilac-blue tint. The flowers have oval lobes.

Albion

The flowers are characterized by a goblet shape and white color. They reach 4 centimeters in diameter.

Oksinan

These inflorescences have a blue-violet hue. The plant is characterized by a wide dark perianth and pointed leaves.

Artabir

The flowers have a sky blue hue. The bracts are covered with dark veins.

Albus

This variety is characterized by white flowers. In this case, the tube has a creamy hue.

Violet Whitwell

This variety is characterized by large flat flowers, which are characterized by a purple-violet hue and reach 4 centimeters.

Beauty Laylek

The flowers are practically flat and reach 3 centimeters. They are characterized by a lilac color.

I. Intestines

This culture is characterized by large flowers. Outside they have a brown-gray tint, inside - yellow.

Nanette

This variety is characterized by creamy-yellow inflorescences covered with purple stripes.

blue beanie

The flowers reach a length of 3 centimeters. The perianths are pale blue in color.

Flower Record

This variety is characterized by large light blue flowers.

Cassiopeia

This plant can have pink or purple flowers. It is characterized by green grass-like leaves.

beauty cream

Unusual yellow inflorescences are considered a characteristic feature of the variety.

Tricolor

The flower of this variety has 3 colors - purple, white and bright yellow.

How to plant for distillation

Dutch varieties are suitable for this. They must have large flowers. To do this, select 5-10 bulbs and plant them in a wide pot. Watered bulbs should be watered and fertilized.

When the foliage is dry, the bulbs should be removed, wrapped in a towel and stored. In the fall, they are moved to the ground.

Digging and storage rules

After flowering and drying of the foliage, it is recommended to dig up the bulbs. Then they need to be dried in the shade and put in a box. Crocuses are stored until August at a temperature of +22 degrees. Then the parameters are gradually reduced to +20 and +15 degrees. Maintaining precise temperature conditions at home is difficult. Therefore, flower growers simply remove the bulbs in a dark, dry place. It is important to use a ventilated place.

Additional tips and tricks

For a culture to develop normally, it must be well maintained:

• correctly carry out planting work;
• timely moisten the soil;
• apply the necessary fertilizers;
• carry out treatments against diseases and pests.

Crocuses are popular plants that are often grown in their gardens by many people. For a culture to develop normally and flourish profusely, it must receive quality care.